TESTS of a manned light aircraft powered by a British designed and built hydrogen fuel cell will begin in Europe later this year.

The aircraft is a highly modified two-seat Diamond Dimona motor-glider. The long wing-span plane is expected to cruise at 100km/h - about 62mph - and possibly pave the way to a new generation of zero-polluting light aircraft.

The Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane research project is based at Madrid-based Boeing Research and Technology Europe (BR&TE), part of Boeing's advanced R&D unit, known as the 'Phantom Works'.

"Given the efficiency and environmental benefits of emerging fuel cell  technology, Boeing wants to be on the forefront of developing and applying  it to aerospace products," said Francisco Escarti, BR&TE managing director.

"The Boeing demonstrator uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel  cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor, which  is coupled to a conventional propeller.

"The fuel cell provides all power  for the cruise phase of flight. During take-off and climb, the system draws on lightweight lithium-ion batteries.

"Flight tests, which will take place in Spain, will demonstrate for the first time that a manned airplane can maintain a straight level flight with fuel cells as the only power source. 

"While Boeing does not envision that fuel cells will provide primary power for future commercial passenger airplanes, demonstrations like this help pave the way for potentially using this technology in small manned and unmanned air vehicles," Escarti said.

The PEM fuel-cell system used on the flight demonstrator was designed and built by the UK-based firm, Intelligent Energy. The London company has also produced the ENV, a fuel cell powered motorbike.
Other contributors to the project include Diamond Aircraft, who modified the Dimona, and a raft of Spanish, French and German companies.

W: www.boeing.com/phantom

SO WHAT IS A FUEL CELL? A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen directly into electricity and heat without combustion. Fuel cells are emission-free and quieter than hydrocarbon fuel-powered engines. They save fuel and are cleaner for the environment.